Title: How a family-owned Nebraska bank became a leader on coronavirus loans

URL Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/22/small-town-banks-scrambled-provide-federal-loans-outpacing-national-lenders/

Published Time: 2020-04-22T21:41:09.674Z

Markdown Content:
[Accessibility statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)[Skip to main content](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/22/small-town-banks-scrambled-provide-federal-loans-outpacing-national-lenders/#main-content)

[Democracy Dies in Darkness](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

[Save and subscribe](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?oscode=RPWH&s_l=ONSITE_HEADER_ARTICLE&p=s_v&s_ct=article&itid=nav_subscribe_logged_out&tid=nav_subscribe_logged_out&acqEntType=mktg_onsite_article&destination=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fbusiness%2F2020%2F04%2F22%2Fsmall-town-banks-scrambled-provide-federal-loans-outpacing-national-lenders%2F&arcId=RGRXW5AXANCC7BTXUYYNBCPAAI)[Sign in](https://www.washingtonpost.com/subscribe/signin/?next_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fbusiness%2F2020%2F04%2F22%2Fsmall-town-banks-scrambled-provide-federal-loans-outpacing-national-lenders%2F&nid=top_pb_signin&arcId=RGRXW5AXANCC7BTXUYYNBCPAAI&account_location=ONSITE_HEADER_ARTICLE&itid=nav_sign_in)

Democracy Dies in Darkness

[Coronavirus](https://www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/?itid=sn_coronavirus_title)[U.S. cases and deaths by state](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-us-cases-deaths/?itid=sn_coronavirus_1/)[World map](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/mapping-spread-new-coronavirus/?itid=sn_coronavirus_2/)[New CDC guidance](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/08/11/cdc-coronavirus-recommendations/?itid=sn_coronavirus_3/)[When am I still contagious?](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/08/01/covid-contagious-period-isolation/?itid=sn_coronavirus_4/)[The people who never get covid](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/05/08/study-never-get-covid/?itid=sn_coronavirus_5/)

[Coronavirus](https://www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/?itid=sn_coronavirus_title)[U.S. cases and deaths by state](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-us-cases-deaths/?itid=sn_coronavirus_1/)[World map](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/world/mapping-spread-new-coronavirus/?itid=sn_coronavirus_2/)[New CDC guidance](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/08/11/cdc-coronavirus-recommendations/?itid=sn_coronavirus_3/)[When am I still contagious?](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/08/01/covid-contagious-period-isolation/?itid=sn_coronavirus_4/)[The people who never get covid](https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/05/08/study-never-get-covid/?itid=sn_coronavirus_5/)

# How a family-owned Nebraska bank became a leader on coronavirus loans

Working from home, employees hustled to process small-business applications under the Paycheck Protection Program

April 22, 2020 More than**6 years ago**

167

[Make us preferred on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=washingtonpost.com)

![Image 1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/5DHKSQEEWEI6VANDS2IMTCARCE.jpg&w=440%20400w)

Ryan Wittmann helped lead Union Bank & Trust’s lending program from a card table at home. “That was one of the challenges of this, trying to coordinate all this while everyone is remote, sitting at home in their sweatpants,” he said. (Misty Prochaska for The Washington Post)

By [Jeanne Whalen](https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/jeanne-whalen/)

 and

[Renae Merle](https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/renae-merle/)

Ryan Wittmann was wrapping up his first full week of working from home when he noticed an instant message from his boss: “I think I’ve got a project for you.”

It was Friday, March 27, in Lincoln, Neb., and Wittmann and hundreds of his colleagues were getting the hang of running Union Bank & Trust from their makeshift home offices. Wittmann was working at a card table in his basement. Others had commandeered space in their kitchens and laundry rooms.

* * *

167**Comments**

![Image 2](https://palomaimages.washingtonpost.com/prod/512x288_EconomyBusiness_tstmp_1623882368.jpg)

Newsletter As news breaks

![Image 3](https://palomaimages.washingtonpost.com/prod/512x288_EconomyBusiness_tstmp_1623882368.jpg)

Economy & Business Alerts

Important breaking news emails on the issues around the economy and business.

Sign up

[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

## Company

*   [About The Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/)
*   [Newsroom Policies & Standards](https://www.washingtonpost.com/policies-and-standards/)
*   [WP Creative Group](https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/archive/)
*   [Diversity & Inclusion](https://washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/workforce-demographics/)
*   [Careers](https://careers.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Media & Community Relations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/public-relations/)
*   [Accessibility Statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)

## Sections

*   [Trending](https://www.washingtonpost.com/trending/)
*   [Politics](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/)
*   [Elections](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/)
*   [Opinions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/)
*   [National](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/)
*   [World](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/)
*   [Style](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/)
*   [Sports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/)
*   [Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/)
*   [Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/)
*   [Well+Being](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellbeing/)
*   [D.C., Md., & Va.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/)
*   [Obituaries](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/)
*   [Weather](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/)
*   [Arts & Entertainment](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/)
*   [Recipes](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/)

## Get The Post

*   [WP Intelligence](https://wpintelligence.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Enterprise Subscriptions](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/enterprise/)
*   [Manage Your Subscription](https://www.washingtonpost.com/my-post/account/subscription/?itid=site_footer)
*   [Become a Subscriber](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=s_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_DIGITAL)
*   [Gift Subscriptions](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=g_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_GIFT)
*   [Mobile & Apps](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/mobile/)
*   [Newsletters & Alerts](https://washingtonpost.com/newsletters/)
*   [Washington Post Live](https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/)
*   [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/reprints-permissions/)
*   [Post Store](https://store.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Books & E-Books](https://www.washingtonpost.com/photos-books/)
*   [Print Archives (Subscribers Only)](https://www.proquest.com/?accountid=189667)
*   [Today’s Paper](https://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper/updates/)
*   [Public Notices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/classifieds/)

## Contact Us

*   [Contact the Newsroom](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002940991-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-newsroom)
*   [Contact Customer Care](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/)
*   [Contact the Opinions Team](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004745292-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-Opinions-section)
*   [Advertise](https://www.washingtonpost.com/solutions/)
*   [Licensing & Syndication](https://www.washingtonpost.com/licensing-syndication)
*   [Request a Correction](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003675928-Submit-a-correction)
*   [Send a News Tip](https://www.washingtonpost.com/anonymous-news-tips/)
*   [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/05/13/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/)

## Terms of Use

*   [Digital Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/06/17/terms-sale-digital-products/)
*   [Print Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2020/11/20/terms-sale-print-products/)
*   [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/terms-of-service/)
*   [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/)
*   [Cookie Settings](https://www.washingtonpost.com/cookie-policy/)
*   [Submissions & Discussion Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/11/23/discussion-submission-guidelines/)
*   [RSS Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/01/01/rss-terms-service/)
*   [Sitemap](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sitemap/)
*   [Ad Choices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/ad-choices/)

[washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/) © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)

### ## Company

Chevron Icon

*   [WP Intelligence](https://www.wpintelligence.com/)
*   [Ask The Post AI](https://www.washingtonpost.com/ask-the-post-ai/)
*   [WP Creative Group](https://www.washingtonpost.com/creativegroup/archive/)
*   [Diversity & Inclusion](https://washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/workforce-demographics/)
*   [Careers](https://careers.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Media & Community Relations](https://www.washingtonpost.com/public-relations/)
*   [Accessibility Statement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/accessibility/)

### ## Sections

Chevron Icon

*   [Trending](https://www.washingtonpost.com/trending/)
*   [Politics](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/)
*   [Elections](https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/)
*   [Opinions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/)
*   [National](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/)
*   [World](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/)
*   [Style](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/)
*   [Sports](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/)
*   [Business](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/)
*   [Climate](https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/)
*   [Well+Being](https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellbeing/)
*   [D.C., Md., & Va.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/)
*   [Obituaries](https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/)
*   [Weather](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/)
*   [Arts & Entertainment](https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/)
*   [Recipes](https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/)

### ## Get The Post

Chevron Icon

*   [WP Intelligence](https://wpintelligence.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Enterprise Subscriptions](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/enterprise/)
*   [Manage Your Subscription](https://www.washingtonpost.com/my-post/account/subscription/?itid=site_footer)
*   [Become a Subscriber](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=s_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_DIGITAL)
*   [Gift Subscriptions](https://subscribe.washingtonpost.com/acquisition/?p=g_v&s_l=ONSITE_FOOTER_GIFT)
*   [Mobile & Apps](https://subscription.washingtonpost.com/mobile/)
*   [Newsletters & Alerts](https://washingtonpost.com/newsletters/)
*   [Washington Post Live](https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/)
*   [Reprints & Permissions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/reprints-permissions/)
*   [Post Store](https://store.washingtonpost.com/)
*   [Books & E-Books](https://www.washingtonpost.com/photos-books/)
*   [Print Archives (Subscribers Only)](https://www.proquest.com/?accountid=189667)
*   [Today’s Paper](https://www.washingtonpost.com/todays_paper/updates/)
*   [Public Notices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/classifieds/)

### ## Contact Us

Chevron Icon

*   [Contact the Newsroom](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002940991-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-newsroom)
*   [Contact Customer Care](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/)
*   [Contact the Opinions Team](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004745292-Leadership-of-The-Washington-Post-Opinions-section)
*   [Advertise](https://www.washingtonpost.com/solutions/)
*   [Licensing & Syndication](https://www.washingtonpost.com/licensing-syndication)
*   [Request a Correction](https://helpcenter.washingtonpost.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003675928-Submit-a-correction)
*   [Send a News Tip](https://www.washingtonpost.com/anonymous-news-tips/)
*   [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/05/13/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/)
*   [Download the Washington Post App](https://wapo.onelink.me/e76N/ec774mr8)

*   [About The Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/about-the-post/)
*   [Policies & Standards](https://www.washingtonpost.com/policies-and-standards/)
*   [Digital Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/06/17/terms-sale-digital-products/)
*   [Print Products Terms of Sale](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2020/11/20/terms-sale-print-products/)
*   [Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/terms-of-service/)
*   [Privacy Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/privacy-policy/)
*   [Cookie Settings](https://www.washingtonpost.com/cookie-policy/)
*   [Submissions & Discussion Policy](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/11/23/discussion-submission-guidelines/)
*   [RSS Terms of Service](https://www.washingtonpost.com/discussions/2021/01/01/rss-terms-service/)
*   [Sitemap](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sitemap/)
*   [Ad Choices](https://www.washingtonpost.com/information/2022/01/01/ad-choices/)

*   [washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/)
*   © 1996-2026 The Washington Post

5.61.1

![Image 5](https://sync.intentiq.com/profiles_engine/ProfilesEngineServlet?at=20&mi=10&secure=1&dpi=undefined&iiqidtype=2&iiqpcid=5cc134ab-50c1-426d-a4bf-1e6c0f20881a&iiqpciddate=1782371060002&tsrnd=126_1782371060002&vrref=&jsver=5.082)

Already have an account?[Sign in](https://www.washingtonpost.com/subscribe/signin/index.html?tid=wa_hardregwall_auth&next_url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/04/22/small-town-banks-scrambled-provide-federal-loans-outpacing-national-lenders/&)

* * *

FLASH SALE

# Two ways to read this article:

Create an account

Free

*   Access **this article**

Enter email address 

Start reading

Subscribe

$2 every four weeks for the first year

*   **Unlimited access** to all articles
*   **24/7**live news updates

Subscribe